Hysteroscopic sterilisation (HS) is a permanent method of contraception and is only suitable for women who no longer desire fertility. The method works by preventing fertilisation of the egg by permanently blocking the passage of sperm through the fallopian tubes. This is achieved by placing occlusive micro-inserts in the proximal section of each fallopian tubal lumen using transcervical hysteroscopy.

A safe, simple and highly effective transcervical sterilisation approach has long been sought. In 1878, Kocks attempted to blindly occlude the proximal segment of each fallopian tube by transcervical insertion of electrodes. In 1927, Mickulicz-Radecki and Freund suggested the use of a hysteroscope for the purpose of female sterilisation. In 1934, Schroeder performed the transcervical hysteroscopic sterilisation using electrocoagulation. Since then, various destructive techniques involving intratubal injection of sclerosing agents such as quinacrine, tissue adhesives or cryosurgery, and mechanical tubal occlusive techniques involving placement of various plugs or devices at the level of the tubal ostium, have been explored.